HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 26, 2001 -- Oscar-nominated actor Russell Crowe fought back against critics who have blamed the poor box office returns of “Proof of Life” on his romance with the film’s co-star, Meg Ryan.At Wednesday’s London premiere of “Proof,” director Taylor Hackford fueled the fire by announcing that their romance had left “an indelible and very destructive effect” on the U.S. release and overpowered the film. “I think Taylor is being impolite, impolitic and imbecilic by saying that," Crowe